Discovering Main Street

Small towns punctuate the landscape of Oregon and Washington. They burrow in crinkles of hills, sit alongside mighty rivers, survive in desert canyons and sagebrush plains, dot the fertile Willamette Valley, and perch at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. In Discovering Main Street, Foster Church reveals the unexpected and unique pleasures of exploring small towns, what he calls the last frontier of American tourism. Organized by regionWillamette Valley, Oregon Coast, Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and Southern Washingtonthe profiles in Discovering Main Street begin with route tips and end with comments on where to stay and eat. Churchs engaging narratives provide history, highlights, and insights into each of the nearly fifty profiled communities. A useful introduction summarizes Churchs recommendations for a small town visit, which include hanging out at the local cafe, attending a school sports event, and hiking the surroundingsbecause without exception, small towns in the Northwest are set in hauntingly beautiful environments, from stark deserts to deep, mossy forests. Discovering Main Street provides an alternative to the outdoor adventure guides that dominate bookshelves in the Northwest. It will appeal to armchair travelers, to Northwest enthusiasts, and to any curious explorers seeking adventure in hiddenand unexpectedplaces.